Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former MP Daryl Maguire were in a secret relationship for five years.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former MP Daryl Maguire were in a secret relationship for five years.Credit:AAP,Janie Barrett

Who kicks up the dust? Mostly,it’s elected representatives who don’t appreciate that when they take their seat in local,state or federal chambers,they also enter into a relationship with non-partisan institutions,like ICAC.

Many would have heard former NSW Liberal minister Pru Goward’s comments on ABC TV’sThe Drum and on ABC Radio National days after Berejiklian’s announcement. Goward had worked closely with Berejiklian and defended her use of ministerial discretion to approve public funding.

According to Goward:“The public understands that as long as the money is not going to somebody’s back pocket,not funding wonderful meals and holidays,but it’s actually going to a deserving community group” that it’s not financial mismanagement,rather “it’s making decisions,which is what we expect elected governments to do”.

Berejiklian has also defended herself,saying:“History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW.”

I meet with members of the public,from new voters to retirees,and they aren’t quite as understanding as Goward thinks. They speak plainly about their anger with ministers who circumvent rules set by public servants. I was struck by how demoralised workshop participants were by then-premier Berejiklian’s admission to pork barrelling and her justification:“It’s not an illegal practice. It does happen from time to time in every government.” The voters I listen to don’t agree,and they want it to stop.

Former Liberal state minister Pru Goward has defended Gladys Berejiklian.

Former Liberal state minister Pru Goward has defended Gladys Berejiklian.Credit:Karleen Minney

Goward went on to recall when,during her time as minister,backbencher Daryl Maguire approached her for funding. Maguire’s argument was straightforward. According to Goward,he said:“You all think because I’m in a safe seat I don’t need any money,but my people matter as much as your people. The marginal seats get all the money and we don’t get anything.” Goward’s response? “And you know,he had a bit of a point really.”

In the lead-up to the past two federal and the most recent NSW election,I met with voters who told me they don’t want “all the money” going to marginal electorates either. They expect ministers and MPs to make deeply considered,democratic decisions for our collective,long-term benefit. Which is why we have ICAC – to prevent breaches of public trust and to guide the conduct of NSW public officials,although the current investigation relates to grants where Berejiklian’s decisions may have been affected by her personal relationship with Maguire,not to the practice of pork barrelling more generally.

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I stood with others to applaud the former premier’s decisive and purposeful leadership during COVID-19 outbreaks. I also applauded the Doherty Institute for working with our premier during this crisis. Expert institutions,like the Doherty,stand ready to assist each and every premier. In doing so,institutions and MPs work together to strengthen our democracy.

In his new bookRescue:From Global Crisis To A Better World,University of Oxford professor of globalisation Ian Goldin looks to history to help us plan the best path out of the COVID-19 pandemic. He reminds us that as World War II was drawing to an end,conservative governments formed new public institutions,like the IMF,Britain’s National Health Service and the United Nations. Governments saw the importance of institutions to buffer us from extremes.

Former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald. The ICAC played a key role in exposing their misconduct.

Former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald. The ICAC played a key role in exposing their misconduct.Credit:Dean Sewell

ICAC buffers the public by investigating the conduct of elected representatives who fail to use their considerable power with integrity. Former NSW Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald were found guilty of misconduct in public office and would subsequently go to jail as a result of ICAC investigations (although Macdonald successfully appealed against one of these convictions and is awaiting a retrial). So,when you see the dust storm starting up this week,remember it’s because ICAC is investigating the political “business as usual” that fails to meet public expectations.

There is a real consequence of ministers using their discretion to divert millions of dollars to electorates of their choosing,over many years. The current NSW parliamentary inquiry into rural,regional and remote hospitals has been told that patients can’t be treated properly because morphine and paracetamol supplies run out.

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In November last year,midwives and senior obstetricians at Blacktown Hospital threatened to strike after a sixth baby died in two years in a maternity ward that is chronically understaffed. These things were happening before our valiant public health system was stretched by COVID-19,and it will need every dollar the state government can send its way.

There are many elected representatives across the political spectrum acting with integrity and justice every day. They are irked by the “business as usual” culture set by previous MPs and perpetuated by some of their colleagues. They expect the use of public monies and integrity to walk hand in hand,and so do we. ICAC is our buffer.

Sandy Killick is the director of Democracy Matters,a non-partisan democracy education organisation connecting voters,elected representatives and the teachers who inspire future voters and leaders.

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